Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino is reportedly determined to agree to a new contract at Anfield.
The Brazil international's current deal expires at the end of the season, meaning that he could depart as a free agent in the summer of 2023 as things stand.
Firmino will be able to open pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs if no new contract is agreed by January, but he has remained an important player for Jurgen Klopp this season.
Despite the £64m arrival of Darwin Nunez from Benfica, Firmino has acted as Liverpool's leading attacker with eight goals and four assists in 18 matches this season.
Liverpool have at least been expected to offer the 31-year-old a short-term extension, and a recent report claimed that Klopp's side are preparing to enter contract talks with the attacker.
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Now, Football Insider claims that Firmino is "very keen" to stay on at Anfield for a little while longer, and the ex-Hoffenheim man remains happy at Anfield after improving his fortunes this season.
Firmino is currently understood to be pocketing around £180,000 per week with Liverpool, but the Reds are supposedly reluctant to keep shelling out a similar figure to a player who will turn 32 next year.
As a result, Firmino would likely have to accept a salary decrease if he is to extend his stay on Merseyside, much like James Milner did with his recent one-year extension.
Firmino struggled for form and fitness in the 2021-22 season, but his stellar form in 2022-23 has taken him up to 106 goals and 78 assists in 345 appearances for the Reds since 2015.
The Brazil international has collected seven different trophies under Klopp, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and Community Shield.
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Firmino's return to fitness this term has been a welcome sight for Klopp, who already allowed Takumi Minamino, Divock Origi and Sadio Mane to depart in the most recent window.
The Reds are working without Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota until after the World Cup, but Firmino recently stated that he wanted to remain alongside Mohamed Salah at Anfield for "years" when asked by club media to put together his dream five-a-side team.
"At number five is Mohamed Salah. It is a great privilege to play alongside him, we have a strong bond both on and off the pitch," Firmino said.
"He is a great player, a great character. It is an honour to play with him and I hope we can keep on bringing the Liverpool fans joy for years to come."
Firmino will be aiming to help Liverpool end a two-game winless run in the Premier League when they face off against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
Ben Knapton
